Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday hit back at the Opposition over allegations of embezzlement of donations meant for the Ram Temple, asserting that the government acted swiftly after receiving the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report.
The Chief Minister urged political parties not to use the issue to malign Ayodhya or hurt the sentiments of Lord Ram’s devotees.
“Do not cast an evil eye on Ayodhya. Do not test the faith of Ram devotees. If you have evidence, place it before the SIT,” Adityanath said while addressing a public gathering in Deoria, according to news agency PTI.
Emphasising the government’s commitment to accountability, he said action began immediately after the SIT submitted its findings.
“The SIT submitted its report and the government initiated action without delay. As I had promised earlier, we will separate truth from falsehood,” he said.
‘No one will be spared’
Adityanath said the alleged irregularities were being treated with utmost seriousness because they involved the faith of millions of devotees across the country.
He warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found guilty, regardless of their position.
“Playing with public faith is unacceptable. Anyone found tampering with the sentiments of Sanatan Dharma will face the consequences. There will be no exemption for anyone,” he said.
The remarks come amid a political confrontation over allegations of financial irregularities involving donations received at the Ram Temple, with Opposition parties demanding greater transparency and accountability.
Eight arrested in donation embezzlement case
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Police on Friday arrested eight people named in the FIR registered in connection with the alleged misappropriation of Ram Temple donations.
The arrests came a day after an FIR was lodged following allegations of financial irregularities in donations collected at the Ayodhya temple.
The complaint was filed by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which oversees the temple’s management. Among those named in the FIR is Ramashankar Yadav, also known as Tinnu, who is considered a close aide of the trust’s general secretary, Champat Rai.
Investigators are examining Yadav’s alleged role in the collection and handling of donations. The other accused arrested include Anukalp Mishra, Avinash Shukla, Karunesh Pandey, Manish Yadav, Lavkush Mishra, Ramashankar Mishra and retired bank employee Subhash Srivastava, who was responsible for counting the donations.
The FIR was registered after a three-member SIT submitted its preliminary findings recommending criminal proceedings. The allegations were originally raised by Samajwadi Party leader Tej Narayan Pandey.
Those named in the case have been booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to criminal breach of trust, cheating, theft and criminal conspiracy.
The Uttar Pradesh government constituted the SIT on June 13 after receiving a request from the temple trust. The panel conducted its preliminary inquiry in Ayodhya between June 15 and June 20 before submitting its report to the state government.
